Francophonie Games 2017: Sports Minister Congratulates Team Cameroon

The Minister of Sports and Physical Education, Bidoung Mkpatt, has congratulated the team of athletes, technical staff and the cultural groups that valuably represented Cameroon at the just ended Francophonie Games in Abidjan.

The closing ceremony was held in Abidjan, the capital city of Ivory Coast on Sunday 30 July, 2017.

Cameroon's Sports Minister, (Image rights: Cameroun-info.net)

He saluted their courage and fighting spirit of the team as they challenged foreign teams that are reputed for outstanding performances. Cameroon finished on the 7th spot after amassing 21 medals. 5 were in gold, seven in silver and 9 in bronze.

Cameroon’s performance has greatly improved compared to the previous editions of the competition. Four years ago in France, Cameroon got 17 medals in total with just 3 in gold.

Team Cameroon was made up of 89 athletes who performed in disciplines such as: athletics, tennis, female basketball, men’s football, wrestling, judo, as well as collective cultural displays.

France emerged overall winners with 49 medals, 22 in gold, Morocco seconded with 13 gold medals out of 42, while Canada came 3rd 36 medals including 13 gold. The hosts Ivory Coast ended on the 9th spot after securing 19 medals with 6 gold. 

A total of 3500 young athletes drawn from 53 countries took part in the 8th Francophonie Games, Abidjan 2017.

The 9th edition will be hosted by Canada in 2021.

General Classification Table

Source: Cameroun-info.net

Created in 1987, La Francophonie games are organized every four years to reinforce friendship among countries that share the French Language.

The first edition took place in the cities of Casablanca and Rabah in Morocco in 1991.